Hey there! Today, Squeaks and I were playing a fun game called Hide & Squeak. In this game, Squeaks hides, and I have to find him using my senses. Senses are how we experience the world, like seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, and smelling. We use different body parts for each sense.
Let’s see if you can help me find Squeaks using your senses. First, try using your nose. Do you smell Squeaks anywhere? No? Okay, let’s try using our ears. Do you hear him? Yes, I hear him too! He’s over there! Great job using your sense of hearing to find him!
Did you know that not all animals have the same senses as we do? Sharks, for example, can see, hear, and smell like us, but they also have a special sense called electroreception. Let me explain.
Sharks have special spots on their faces called ampullae of Lorenzini. These spots help them sense electricity. All animals make a tiny bit of electricity, but we can’t feel it because we don’t have the right body parts. Sharks use these spots to detect electricity from other animals, like fish, even if they are hidden under sand.
When sharks hunt, they use their senses just like we do. From far away, they use hearing and smell to find fish. As they get closer, they use sight. When they are very close, less than a meter away, they use electroreception to pinpoint exactly where the fish is and aim for a good bite. Then, it’s lunchtime for the shark!
Squeaks asked a great question: If sharks can see and smell, why do they need electroreception? Well, sharks can use this special sense to find fish even when they are hidden in sand. Scientists discovered that the ampullae of Lorenzini help sharks sense electrical signals from fish, so they can find them even when they can’t see or smell them.
Isn’t it amazing how sharks use electricity to experience the world? I wonder what it’s like to have such a cool sense. But for now, I’m happy finding my lunch the old-fashioned way. Speaking of lunch, I wonder what’s in the refrigerator. I’m hungry!
Thanks for joining us today! If you want to keep learning with me, Squeaks, and all of our friends, be sure to subscribe, and we’ll see you next time here at the Fort!
Sensory Scavenger Hunt: Go on a scavenger hunt around your home or garden using your senses! Make a list of things to find using each sense. For example, find something that makes a noise (hearing), something that smells nice (smell), something that feels soft (touch), something colorful (sight), and something tasty (taste). Share what you found with a friend or family member!
Shark Sense Simulation: Pretend to be a shark using your special sense of electroreception! Hide a small metal object under a blanket or in a sandbox. Close your eyes and have a friend guide your hand over the surface to “feel” for the object without seeing it. Imagine how sharks use their special sense to find hidden fish!
Imagine a New Sense: If you could have a new sense like sharks, what would it be? Draw a picture of yourself with this new sense and explain how it would help you in your daily life. Would it help you find hidden things, like sharks do, or maybe something else? Share your drawing and ideas with your class!
